Cost-Free Steps to a Greener Life

Ottobre 30, 2009 | Eco News, Environment, Go Green, Water Conservation

Living mindfully, conserving resources, eating organically and locally–these are all green values i espouse. At least I think I do. As with most perceptions, looking at the actions we take is a quick and easy way to show us if we practice what we value. Listing the small and mostly cost-free green steps I take along these lines is an important tool that will paint the picture for me to see whether I live up to the environmentally conscious image I have of myself in my head.

The following are quick and easy steps we can take immediately to not only live a greener life, but also will save us money in the process.

Until this fall, our city was in a grave drought. To conserve water, I learned to always:

* Water my herbs with water I collect when I take my shower.
* Bathe quickly–which means no more meditating in the shower.
* Wash my hair every other day–or even less frequently if I am not running every day. Several film actresses espouse washing their hair infrequently as it’s better for hair health and hairstyles.
* Turn the faucet off while I wash my face and turn it back on to rinse.
* Let my dog "rinse" the dishes with her tongue before they go in the dishwasher.
* Allow the rainwater to wash my car instead of a car wash.
* If it’s just me around the loft, if it’s yellow let it mellow, as they say… and I think you know the rest.
* Run the dishwasher only when it is stuffed to the rafters.
* Run the washing machine only when I have a full load–and sometimes urgency necessitates mixing whites and colors, and I wash in cold water.

To conserve fuel:

* I only drive when I can accomplish at least three errands in an outing.
* I map my route so that I go the shortest distance possible.
* I travel to offices and shoots only when necessary and work from home via the internet whenever possible.
* I walk where I can, and I bought a bike but the haphazard drivers in downtown Atlanta make me nervous to be out in traffic in a car much less a bicycle.

To conserve utilities (electricity and gas):

* I keep the air conditioner at a constant temperature… not super cool but comfortable.
* I keep the blinds drawn when the sun comes in in the summer mornings, and then open them so the sun can heat up the winter mornings.
* I insulate my water heater.
* I try not to use the oven much in the summer. It heats up my loft and makes the A/C run more.
* I do not usually turn on a lot of lights.
* I unplug appliances (including phone chargers) when not in use.
* I never use the heated drying cycle on the dishwasher.
* I wash my clothes in cold water.
* I air-dry most of my clothes (it helps them last longer), so it conserves the amount of energy my dryer actually uses as well.
* In the winter when it is cold, I keep the thermostat to a fairly cool temperature and either wear more layers of clothes or snuggle with my squeeze and my pup to keep warm.

Liz Stubbs is an award-winning writer and book author. She writes often at http://frompuccitopudding.typepad.com about marathon, photography, travel, good health and fabulous food.

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Ph.: TouTouke

energy-star